Featured photo: Gov. Tim Walz at the 2021 Fishing Opener in Ottertail County.
The governor of Minnesota will be in our area for the Fishing Opener. Gov. Tim Walz and the DNR announced plans to “celebrate fishing in a variety of ways, over several weeks and in multiple locations in the Chippewa National Forest region and the Leech Lake Reservation.”
Walz is scheduled to fish the May 14 opener with Hall of Fame fishing guide Tom Neustrom, Leech Lake Chairman Faron Jackson, Sr., and Leech Lake fishing guide Rory Haaland.
The specific lake and launching site have not yet been released.
“The Governor’s Fishing Opener is an opportunity to celebrate the importance of the fishing tradition to Minnesotans and highlight its impact to our businesses, tourism, and outdoor economy,” said Governor Tim Walz.
“We are hopeful that the 2022 Governor’s Fishing Opener events will get even more Minnesotans to participate in our state’s time-honored fishing tradition.”
DNR Commissioner Sarah Strommen and Explore Minnesota Tourism Director Lauren Bennett McGinty will join the Governor for a press conference in the Chippewa National Forest the day before the opener.
“Each year, the Governor’s Fishing Opener is a unique event, and this year will be no exception. What continues each year is the passion and enthusiasm Minnesotans have for this great tradition and pastime. In fact, we’ve seen even more people discover the joy of fishing and we want to continue that momentum,” said DNR Commissioner Sarah Strommen.
“This time is also a reminder of how critical it is to invest in our natural resources to ensure they are well-managed and sustained for this and future generations.”
The Governor’s Fishing Opener has been a Minnesotan tradition since 1948, designed to promote the state’s $2.4 billion fishing industry.
